Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Gel for Wound Healing

Terminalia arjuna, Centella asiatica and Curcuma longa are reported to possess wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-bacterial activities. The carbopol 934 gel formulations containing different concentrations of extract of the above mentioned herbs were formulated and their wound healing activity was studied on experimentally induced open wounds in albino rats. The individual herbs were evaluated for their standard specification according to the Herbal Pharmacopoeia of India. Extracts were obtained by established procedures. HPTLC analysis for the extracts was carried out for identification of some known active constituents present in these herbs. Formulations containing 1% and 2% herbal extracts were prepared and applied topically three times a day to open wounds for 24 days post-operatively and compared with base control. The treated wounds showed a faster rate of wound contraction compared with controls. The wound contraction studies revealed that the wound contractions increase with an increase in the herbal extract concentration.